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Wales: the Discretionary Assistance Fund
Wales’ equivalent of the Household Support Fund — grants you never repay: the Emergency Assistance Payment and the Individual Assistance Payment.
Written by the benefitmoney.co.uk editorial team · Last reviewed 10 September 2026
In Wales, the equivalent of the Household Support Fund is the Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF) — grants you never repay, run by the Welsh Government. There are two kinds.
Emergency Assistance Payment (EAP)
For essential costs in a real crisis — food, gas, electricity, heating oil or emergency travel — if you are in extreme financial hardship, have lost your job, or are waiting for your first benefit payment. It is not for ongoing bills you cannot afford, and heating-oil requests go through approved partners.
Individual Assistance Payment (IAP)
To help you live independently at home or when moving into a new place — white goods such as a fridge or washing machine, and furniture such as beds, sofas and chairs.
How to apply
Apply to the Welsh Government’s Discretionary Assistance Fund — it is a national scheme, not run council by council. Both payments are grants, with nothing to repay.
Discretionary Assistance Fund on gov.walesSource: gov.wales — Discretionary Assistance Fund↗. Opened 10 September 2026.
Other help in Wales
For a broken appliance see white-goods grants; for beds and furniture see furniture grants; for heating see help with energy bills. In England the equivalent scheme is the Household Support Fund.
Frequently asked questions
Do I repay the Discretionary Assistance Fund?
No. Both the Emergency Assistance Payment and the Individual Assistance Payment are grants — there is nothing to repay.
What is the difference between EAP and IAP?
An Emergency Assistance Payment covers essential costs in a crisis (food, energy, emergency travel). An Individual Assistance Payment helps you live independently — white goods and furniture.
Can I use it for ongoing bills?
No. The Emergency Assistance Payment is for a crisis, not for regular bills you cannot afford — for those, speak to your supplier and check other help.
Does it affect my benefits?
No. A payment from the Discretionary Assistance Fund does not reduce your other benefits.
Sources
- gov.wales — Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF)↗ (Emergency Assistance Payment and Individual Assistance Payment; non-repayable). Opened 10 September 2026.
This page is independent. It is not run by the Welsh Government. The gov.wales page is the current position.